Method and automatic device for handling fluent plastic material in dipping machines



NOV- 8, 1938 E. T FERNGREN 2,136,185

METHOD AND AUTOMATLG DEVICE FOR HANDLING FLUENT PLASTIC MATERIAL IN DIPPNG MACHINES Original Filed Sept. l2, 1932 '7 Sheets-Sheet l m4 7&7@

NOV. 8, 1938. E T FERNGREN METHOD AND AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR HANDLING FLUENT PLASTIC MATERIAL IN DIPPING MACHINES Original Filed Sept. l2, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOI-x MTW@ Nov. 8, 1938. E. T. FERNGREN METHOD AND AUTOMATIC DEVCE FOR HANDLNG FLUENT LASTIC MATERIAL IN Original Filed Sept. 12,' 1952 DIPPING MACHINES '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 L- INVENTOR NOV. 8, 1938. E T FERNGREN 2,136,185

METHOD AND AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR HANDLING FLUENT PLASTIC MATERIAL IN DIPPING MACHINESy Original Filed Sept. 12, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIC-3|. 6.

INVENTOF? Nov. 8, 1938. E T4 FERNGREN 2,136,185

METHOD AND AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR HANDLING FLUENT PLASTIC MATERIAL IN DIPFING MACHINES Original Filed Sept. l2, 1952 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 al 27 Jo 2 A il; @I I'.

INVENTOR NOV. 3, 1938. E. T FERNGREN 2,l36,185

METHOD AND AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR HANDLING FLUENT PLASTIC MATERIAL IN DIPPING MACHINES Original Filed Sept. l2, 15332 'T Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. 8

INVENTOR J6 am NOV. 8, 1938. E 'rV FERNGREN 2,136,185

METHOD AND AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR HANDLING I'LUENT PLASTIC MATERIAL IN DIPPING MACHINES Original Filed Sept. 12, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 'T Mal /M/fl/ TOR,

Patented Nov. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Enoch T.

signor, by mesnc assignments,

Ferngren, Jackson Heights. N. Y., as-

to Plax Corporation, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Dela- Continuation oi' application Serial No. 632,689,

September 12, 1932.

This application (ictober l5, 1936, Serial No. 105,718

17 Claims.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for the automatic handling and presenting of iluid material to dipping tools. molds or forms for the forming of films thereon, or lm objects, and for the coating of articles by initially fluid material, and also more particularly ior presenting uid plastic material from which articles, including iilm articles, may be made. The invention also comprehends the handling and presenting of such fluid materials as lacquers, paints and enamels for use in coating the surfaces of articles.

An important use of the methods and apparatus of my present invention is in the manufacture by automatic dipping of articles, such as milk bottle caps, bags and the like, which may be formed with relatively thin walls by one or more dipping operations from plastic materials, such as cellulose derivatives, the forming being effected, for example, by dipping a suitable tool into the iiuld material and thereafter removing the hlm article from the tool. Such a process is disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 629,697, tiled August 20, 1932.

I also contemplate that the methods and apparatus herein described and claimed may be used in the handling of latex or other dispersions of rubber or other substances in suitable solvents or fluid dispersing media.

I contemplate that the methods and apparatus of my present invention may be employed in the handling of fluid materials at any desired or necessary temperatures according to the characteristics of the material being used.

The present application is a reiiled application which is being substituted for my application, Serial No.632,689 led September l2, 1932.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide methods and apparatus of the character generally set forth for the automatic handling of fluid materials and for the presentation of such material in a `manner that articles, molds or forms may be dipped thereinto as a part of a substantially continuous process.

A further object oi the present invention is to provide methods and apparatus of the character set forth for maintaining iluid material at desired conditions for handling and for. forming the articles or lms which are to be made therefrom, including the homogenizing of the matexial, the maintenance of a desired temperature thereof, the prevention of undue evaporation or any solvents which may be used therewith, and the maintenance of the fluid material free of air (Cl. 18-24l or gas bubbles, so that coatings made therefrom will be uniform in quantity and quality.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of applying uid material as aforesaid to the end that articles or films formed therefrom may be produced rapidly and uniformly. Among the more specific objects of the invention are:

(l) To provide automatic apparatus and methods by which fluid material may be supplied continuously or intermittently as may be desired to moving pools, which are used successively to contact with one or more forms, molds or articles to be dipped into the iluid material, while maintaining the uid material in each oi the pools at the desired temperature and at the desired level in the container for the pool, and preventing so far as practicable contact of the outside air with the surface layers oi' the fluid material in the pools to prevent the formation of skin on such surface layers and to reduce toa minimum the evaporation of any solvents that may be used with the fluid material being employed.

(2) To provide apparatus and methods by which individual pools of plastic material may be caused to move substantially continuously in an orbital path, including a portion in which articles, forms or molds may be dipped in or coated with the solution while traveling in coincidence with the pools and preferably also at the same time to provide for the circulation of the iluid material into and/or out of dipping pools during the dipping operations of the molds or forms, so as substantially continuously to bring iresh hornogeneous material into contact with the articles, molds or forms during the dipping operation.

(3) To provide for the variation in the level of the liquid in the several pools during the orbital bodily movement of those pools as may be desired, so that, for example, the dipping operation may be carried on by the rapid flooding oi the articles, forms or molds to be dipped, or to provide for the lowering of the level of the material in a pool during a part of the time an article, mold or form is being dipped thereinto, and thus to provide for selected operations in dipping as may be desired for different types of fluid materials being employed and/or for the making of different types of articles.

Other more specific objects of the present invention will appear from a detailed description of one embodiment thereof and will be pointed y out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Fig. l is a view in plan of a machine embody- CTI ing my invention with a part at the center broken out:

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the supporting structure and base of the machine shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation, as seen from the right in Fig. 1, of one of the supports;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view oi' the base plate for the supporting structure;

Fig. 5 is a view, principally in side elevation, of the base plate positioned above a hydraulic lifting and lowering device;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, principally in central vertical section, of the portion of the device shown at the right in Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a composite view, partly in end elevation and with other parts in transverse vertical section, the sections being taken on the lines A-A, B-B, CC, D-D and E-E of Fig. 6 at the zones correspondingly lettered in Fig. 7;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view, principally in central vertical section, of the portion of the device shown at the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, showing certain supply tanks and associated mechanism which may be used for supplying fluid to the machine of Fig. l; and

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view, partly in elevation and partly in vertical section, of a series of tanks which may be used in the preparation of the fluid material for use with the structure shown in the other figures.

While I contemplate that apparatus conconstructed in accordance with my invention' and included in the scope of the appended claims may be built in many different forms, I have chosen for purposes of illustration to disclose an apparatus in which a series of relatively long and narrow supply tanks for holding pools of huid material are supported and conveyed through an orbital path by a ferris-wheel like device. The tanks are suspended from the outer ends of hollow tubular arms or spokes which are rotated preferably continuously to move the tanks along an orbital path, an upper portion of which is maintained substantially horizontal by means hereinafter described, so that molds or other articles may be dipped into the tanks during the horizontal portion of their orbital path of movement. There is also provided means by which iiuid material may be supplied to and withdrawn from each of the tanks at any time or zone of their movement, and substantially independently of that movement.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. l, 6, 7 and 8, there is provided a plurality of tanks I. each of which is s1milar to the others, so that but one need be described.

Each of the tanks l is provided with a pair of mating'covers 2, which are pivotally supported in bearings 3 formed in brackets attached to the ends 'of the tank as shown at 4 (Fig. 7). One pintle 5 of each of the covers 2 carries a pinion 6 at its outer end. The two pinions 6 at the end of each tank are in mesh with racks 7, which are formed on the upper portions of diagonally slldable bars B. The lower ends of the bars ll are connected by links 9 to a vertical sliding member III, which is received in or upon a suitable guide means Il formed on or secured to an end wall l2 of the tank I. The inclined bars 8 may be guided for movement in straight lines in respect to the end I2 of the associated tank byguide strips I3 engaging in dovetailed grooves in the bars 8. The strips Il may be secured to the end wall l2 cf the tank or by other suitable means.

The vertical sliding member III has formed thereon a cross arm I6 which carries rollers I1 and i8, these rollers serving to guide the tanks during portions of their orbital path of movement by engaging stationary cam surfaces 20 and 2| (Fig. '7) as hereinafter set forth.

As seen in Fig. 7, the tanks l are moved through their path in a clockwise direction by means hereinafter to be described. During the raising of the tanks at the left, as shown in Fig. 7, it is desired that the covers 2 be opened to expose the fluid material within the tanks for the dipping operation. For this purpose, the slide bar 8 at the left as seen in Fig. 7 is provided with a cam roller 23, which is moved by the movements of the tank through an inclined cam slot 24, the latter being formed in a bracket adjustably secured by a bracket IGI in a xed position to some stationary part of the machine at |62 (see Fig. 1). 'Ihis causes the opening of both cover members due to the mechanical interconnection thereof through the links 9 and the vertical slide member lll. During this cover opening operation the roller I8 is traveling along the vertical stationary cam surface 20 to steady the tank.

After the dipping operation, it is desired that the covers 2 be closed, which is accomplished the engagement oi a cam roller 25 on the inclined slide bar I shown at the right in this figure with a cam slot 26. The cam slot 26 is similarly formed in a bracket which is adjustably secured by a bracket IBI to another stationary part of the machine as shown at |62 (Figs. 1, 2 and 7). During this time the cam roll i8 engages against the stationary surface 2l and steadies the tank.

In order suitably to aid in the opening and closing movement of the covers 2, the weight of the covers and their associate operating mechanism may be counterbalanced by weights 28 (Fig. 8), which may be located at the opposite end, of the tank from the mechanisms just described, these weights preferably being adjustably mounted on angularly extending rods 29 suitably secured to each of the cover members 2 or extended from the pintle shafts 5 thereof at the left hand end oi the tank as seen in Fig. 1.

'I'he cover arrangement just described serves to minimize the exposure of the fluid material in the tanks l at times other than that during which the dipping tools or other implements are associated therewith, and thus minimizes the loss of solvents, and tends to prevent changes in consistency or undue loss of heat, and possible detrimental action of light or atmosphere upon the surface of the :Huid material being used, as well as serving to prevent to a large extent the ingress of dust to the :duid material.

I have shown the end walls 3l of the tanks l formed with hollow chambers 35, which may be used for containing insulation as indicated by the legend on the drawings or for the circulation of heating or cooling media, as may be desired or necessary in view of the character of the material being used in the device. It is further contemplated that the body portions of the tanks l may also be provided with suitable insulation or with Jacketing chambers (not shown) should it be desirable. Inasmuch, however, as the use oi Insulation and temperature controlling Jackets is common in many arts, it is not further disclosed here.

The right hand ends of the several tanks, as seen in Fig. l are pivotaily supported at the ends of hollow arms 22, which are arranged in a substantially radial manner. and serve not only to support and move the tanks, but also as conduits for the supplying of the fluid material thereto from a central common source, as hereinafter to be described. The fluid material may be supplied (Fig. 6) through the hollow arms 22 and through tubular extensions 21 of these arms into the tanks I through down-turned spouts 33, one of these spouts being rigidly associated with each tank. 'I'he joints between the tanks and the extensions 21 of the arms 22 are formed to provide substantially fluid-tight seals while permitting the relative rotation of the tanks in respect to the extensions 21 under the influence of gravity. For this purpose, tubular extensions 32 are formed rigid with the tanks and extending into the end portions 2i of the extensions 21. These end portions 3i are received in annular sockets formed between the extensions 32 and concentric cup-shaped hub portions 30 as shown.

The hollow arms 22 are supported in and carried by a rotatable housing 21, these arms being radially slidable in respect thereto in guideways I8 formed in said housing. The housing 31 is mounted for rotation in a split bearing block 29, which forms a part of a support 39 (Figs. 2` and 6) mounted upon a base plate 4Il.

Radial movement of the arms 22 incident to the non-circular orbital path of the tanks I is controlled by a closed cam track 42 formed in a stationary cam plate 4i, each of the arms 22 carrying a roller 45, which runs in the cam track 42. As shown, the rollers 45 are secured to the arms 22 by cap screws 46. The cam plate 4I is supported by mounting it upon a stationary shaft extension 43 about which the housing 91 is revolved, this shaft extension being supported at the two ends of the rotatable structure as hereinafter to be described.

At the left end of the machine, as seen in Fig. 1, and as shown in detail in Fig. 8, the tanks I are rotatably supported as more specifically described hereinafter by a plurality of radially movable arms 48, which are received slidably in radial guideways 50 formed in a rotatable housing 49. Radial movement of the arms 48 in coordination with the radial movement of the arms 22 previously described, is controlled by providing each of the arms with a cam roller 5I suitably mounted upon a stud 52 and traveling in a closed cam track 63 formed in a cam plate 54. The cam plate 54 is suitably secured to a stationary tubular central portion 6I! of the machine.

The cam tracks 42 and 53 are so formed as to cause the tanks I to travel in an orbital but noncircular path, including for this purpose portions causing two recurring successive outward and inward movements of each of the arms 22 and 48 during each complete revolution of the housings I1 and 49. Thus during the dipping of articles. molds or forms. which takes place during the horizontal movement of the tanks ,I. the tanks and the articles, molds or forms, shown for example in Fig. "i at 41 may be moved in the same direction and at substantially the same speed in parallel paths, to provide a desired condition for dipping. There will thus be no substantial relative movement between the dipping tools and the tanks which would cause a dragging of the tools or forms through the pools 44 of fluid in the tanks I. I contemplate. for example. that the pools 44 may be approximately 9 inches from center to center during their travel in the horizontal portions of their paths. and that the spacing between successive series of dipping tools 41 will be substantially the same. It will be understood. however, that I do not wish to be limited to the particular spacing between pools here given merely by way of example.

Means are provided for similarly and positively rotating the housing members 91 and 49, so that the tanks I will be moved similarly at the two ends thereof. For this purpose the housing I1 has a spur gear 55 secured thereto as by bolts B5 and the housing 49 has rsecured thereto a similar spur gear 55', the latter being, as shown. a ring gear keyed to an extension 66 of the housing 49 by one or more keys 91. The gears 55 are in mesh with similar gears 56 secured adjacent to the ends of a common driving shaft 61, which is journaled in bearings 58 and 5I! on the framework of the machine (Figs. 1 and 2). Any suitable means (not shown) may be employed for driving the shaft 51 either continuously or intermittently as may be desired.

The housing 49 is revolubly mounted about the tubular central shaft portion 60 which is stationary and may be formed integrally with or rigidly secured to the shaft extension 43 previously referred to. The shaft SII is rigidly secured in a hub portion BI (Figs. l, 2 and 8), which is supported by a bracket 62 from the base plate 40. As shown, the shaft member is rigidly locked to the hub 6I by one or more bolts 63.

While the construction at the `left hand end of the machine may be substantially the same as that at the right, I have shown the arms 48 as not connected directly with the ends of the tanks and have illustrated angular tubular members 68 rigidly carried by arms 49 in hub extensions 89 thereof, and rotatably connected to the ends of the tanks I at substantially fluid-tight joints, as illustrated at 1I). 'I'hese Joints as shown include outer cup-shaped portions formed on or rigidly secured to the ends of the tanks I in which the ends 1I of the tubular members 68 are proiected in a telescoping manner.

The tubular members 68 provide passages 12 through which the fluid material contained in the tanks I may flow continuously or intermittently by gravity or by suitable pressure or vacuum pumping means to provide circulation through the pool 44 of the fluid material in each tank. The opposite end 12 of each member 69 is radially slidable in a bore 14 of the housing 49 to acl commodate the non-circular path of the tanks I.

The bores 14 may communicate with the inside of the hollow shaft 6I) at any desired zone or zones around the periphery of the shaft. I have shown this communication merely at an upper zone thereof at which zone the bores 14 come opposite a suitable aperture formed in the shaft Ill), which in turn communicates through a registering aperture with the interior of a discharge pipe 11, as shown in Fig. 6.

The inwardly extended end 16 of the pipe 11 is closed, as shown. to prevent loss of the fluid material being circulated 'as hereinafter described. Thus iluid material flowing from certain of the tanks I may pass through the tubular passage 12 of the hollow member 68 and thence, as shown by the arrow 15, into the discharge pipe 11 during the time the bores 14 are opposite the registering apertures in the hollow shaft Bil and pipe 11 respectively. The material passing out oi' the machine through the pipe 11 may be caused to ow back to a suitably collecting tank, from which the material may again be recirculated, as desired and as hereinafter more fully set i'orth.

The radial inner end 18 oi' each of the arms 22 (Figs. 6 and 7) is provided with an internally threaded aperture 19 in which is secured the threaded end 80 oi a flexible tube 8| which may be of suitable material. The tubes 8| may be formed as generally indicated in Fig. 6, or may be arranged in a substantially helical manner extending part way around the axis of the housing I1. Ihe flexible character of the tubes 8| permits the radial movement of the arms 22 as above described. Each ot the tubes 8| may have its other end 82 secured in the housing 81 by the use of a nipple member 88, as shown. I also contemplate that, if desired, a suitable ball and socket joint may bevemployed at this point for use with relatively non-ilexible connecting tubes corresponding to the tubes 8|. The several tubes 8| communicate through radial bores 8'8 in the adjacent portion oi' the housing 81 with a chamber 8l therein.

Means are provided for controlling the ilow of fluid material from the chamber 8l through the several tubes 8| to the tanks For this purpose there is located within the chamber 84 an annular valve member 08, which is arranged for axial adjustive movement on the outside of a stationary central hollow shaft 9|. i Axial adjustment oi' the valve member 85 will serve to mask to a desired extent port openings 88 and thereby to control the iiow of fluid into and through the pipes 8| to the tanks I.

As it is often desired that fluid be supplied to the tanks I during their travel through a part only of their orbital path, i. e., to each tank during its movement through a predetermined angular zone in its path, it is desired that means be provided to prevent ilow of iiuid to the tanks I except when the tanks are in a desired zone in their path. For this purpose the valve 88 is provided with a semi-cylindrical segmental sleeve portion 88. which serves entirely or partly to obstruct some of the port openings 86, while leaving others free to conduct uid to their associated tanks. Thus with the device constructed as shown` the tanks will be successively supplied with uid during their travel through a selected portion only of their path of movement. As shown in Fig. 6, the iiuid material may be fed only towards the tanks during their passage through the lower part of their orbit. By adjustably rotating the valve 88 including the sleeve portion 88 in respect to the axis of the machine, the zone during which the tanks I are supplied with fluid may be varied to suit the requirements of a particular installation or operation. 'I'he valve 85 is normally splined to the shaft 9| by a key |8| located in a groove |30, but may be angularly adjusted by removing the key, rotating the valve to a new desired angular position and reinserting the key. There are for this purpose a plurality of grooves |30 in either the valve or the shaft 9| or both.

The central hollow shait 9|, which serves to conduct the iiuid material to the cavity 84, is provided as shown in Fig. 6, with but one opening 92 through which the fluid material may iiow as indicated by the arrow 98. It is to be understood, however. that as many openings similar to that shown at 92 as may be desired may be provided.

The fluid material being supplied to the machine is conducted thereto through a pipe 91, an

aisance angle pipe 98 and a pipe 95 to the hollow pipe 9| under control of a valve shown at 98, andfrom a suitable supply system which may be as illustrated in Fig. 9 and which will later be described.

The center pipe or hollow shaft 9i (Fig. 6) may be formed integrally with a supporting iiange |08, which is shown as bolted to a complementary flange |01 (Figs. 2, 3 and 6) on a supporting bracket |08 which is in turn carried by the base I0. The bracket |08 also carries a hub portion |09 (Figs. 3 and 6) which serves as a bearing for the right-hand end of the housing 21. The hollow shaft 9i is rigidly associated with the shaft extension 48, which in turn may be rigid or integral with the hollow shaft 80 (Fig. B), there being preferably a. splined connection as shown between an extension of the hollow shaft 9| and the shaft extension 49.

Means are provided for axially moving the valve 85 to control the flow of iluid to the several tanks from the chamber 8l. For this purpose there is provided a member I, internally threaded as shown at H2, which cooperates with the threads ||3 formed on the outside of the hollow shaft 9|. The member is provided with a handle ||4 by which it may be rotated. 'Ihe right-hand end portion of the valve member 85 is provided with an outwardly extending flange H5 adjacent to the member Secured to the member and overlapping the flange Iii is a housing H6, thus insuring translatory or axial movement of the valve member 85 when the member is rotated. while permitting relative rotation between the members I I I and 85. The member III is preferably provided with an index pointer ||1 bywhich the adjustment oi' the valve 85 may be ascertained by comparison with an index plate or series of markings generally indicated at ||8 formed on or secured to the end of the bearing |09.

Suitable clean-out openings may be provided at selected points along the uid conduits, one of which is indicated at |2| (Fig. 6) and is shown closed by a plug |22. Such clean-out openings are desirable in a device of this character, especially when the apparatus is to be used at diierent times for different types of fluid material.

From the foregoing description the normal and possible operations of the machine proper will be obvious. With the machine set up as above described, power may be supplied either continuously or intermittently as desired to rotate the shaft 51, thus moving all the tanks through their orbital non-circular path. The upper portion oi' this path is substantially horizontal due to the coniguration of the cam tracks 42 and 58, the arms 22 and 48 moving radially into and out of their bearings or sockets for this purpose. 'I'he tanks are rotatably supported at their opposite ends about a common horizontal axis individual to each tank, and are normally maintained in suspended relation with respect to this axis by gravity. Special means are, however, provided as above set forth for steadying the tanks and maintaining them vertical during the time the covers 2 thereof are being cammed open or shut. Means are provided for introducing fluid into the several tanks during the rotation of the supports as a whole and during the movement of the tanks, this fluid being introduced through the pipe 91, and thence through the parts, chambers or passages numbered 99, 95, 9|, 92, 80, 82, 8|. 22, 21, and 88 into the tanks and thence out through parts or passages 1|, 12, 18 and 11.

It will be understood further that by suitable arrangement of the parts, the tanks may be partially or wholly drained and replaced with fresh material during each complete revolution and also that material may be moved into and through the tanks either continuously or intermittently, so as to provide a desired type of dipping, including the ilooding of the tanks during the dipping operation. It is also contemplated as above generally referred to that the iiuid material may be forced into or forcibly withdrawn from the several tanks at desired times or zones in their orbital path of movement, either by the use of continuous streams at practically constant pressure or by pulsating streams.

Thus the iiuid material may be presented for use at the proper condition and homogeneity, thus preventing setting or jelling of certain types of material which it may be desired to use in the tanks or preventing precipitation therefrom. Furthermore it is possible by a suitable arrangement of valves and supply and exhaust means to cause flow of the fluid material in either direction or alternately in both directions, and either continuously or intermittently.

While I contemplate that any desired type of supply system may be employed for supplying the iluid material to the machine previously described, I have shown in Fig. 9 a system which may be employed with satisfactory results. As shown in this figure. there is provided a main supply tank |00 and three associated chambers |0I, |02 and |03. As shown, the chambers |0| and |02 are similar each to the other, and are both connected through pipes |24 with the tank |00 (the latter connection not being shown in detail). 'Ihe chambers |0| and |02 communicate with the chamber |03 through passages |25 and |26 respectively, and the chamber |03 communicates through the passage 91 (see also Fig. 6) with the dipping machine just described. In each of the pipes |24 there are provided valves shown at |34 and |35 and in each of the chambers ||l| and |02 there is provided a one-way valve so arranged as to permit the flow of fluid from the main supply tank |00 into these chambers, but to prevent reverse now. These latter valves are shown respectively at |21 and |29 for chambers 0| and |02. In the chambers |03 there are also provided similar one way valves associated with the passages or pipes |26 and |26 these valves being indicated respectively at |29 and |29', and serving to permit flow into the chamber |03, but to prevent ilow therefrom through these pipes. Associated with the chambers |0|, |02 and |03 are pipes |3I, |32 and |33 respectively leading to suitable sources of vacuum and/or pressure.

'Ihus when it is desired to force fluid from the chamber |03 to the machine, pressure may be admitted to the top of the chamber through pipe |33. which under certain circumstances at least will maintain valves |29 and |30 closed. However, it is normally contemplated that chamber |03 will serve as a main discharge chamber and that it will contain at all times a certain fairly deilnlte amount of fluid. When, therefore, it is desired that fluid be supplied to the machine, it will normally be supplied alternately from the chambers |0| and |02. As shown in Fig. 9 fluid is being supplied through pipe |25 from chamber under the inuence of pneumatic pressure admitted to the chamber through pipe |3i, this pressure retaining the valve |21 closed and valve |29 open. 'I'he pressure under which the material is being supplied to the machine valve |34.

can be controlled by the pressure maintained within the chamber |03.

When chamber |0| has been suiciently emptied. as aforesaid, the pressure at the top of this chamber through pipe |3| may be reduced and/or a vacuum may be applied at this point and continued flow of fluid material to the machine may be supplied from the chamber |02. This will permit valve |29 to close under the iniluence of the pressure within chamber |03. In case a vacuum is created in chamber |0| to ll it, the valve |21 will open to permit the iniiux of material through the pipe |24 and the T'his is the condition taking place, as shown in Fig. 9, for chamber |02. Thus chambers |00 and |02 will be alternately emptied and lled from the main supply tank |00, it being understood that while one of these chambers is being illled, the other will be supplying fluid to the machine. Furthermore if a pulsating flow is desired, this may be set up by control of pressure within the chamber |03. I also contemplate that such a pulsating flow could be provided in timed relation with the movement or operation of the dipping machine heretofore described.

While any desired means may be provided for the mixing or other preparation of iiuid material to be used with the machine heretofore described, I have illustrated in Fig. 10, a series oi tanks, including a mixing tank |36 provided with a rotary agitator |31 and an inlet chute |39, a tank |40 communicating with the tank |36 through a passage |39 under control of a valve |5| and a tank |44 communicating with the tank |40 through a syphon pipe |45, |50. In the tank |40 material may be vacuum or pressure treated as may be required and may also be subjected to other desired treatments. The tank |40 is provided with an upper compartment |4| and with perforated valve and Wall portions |42 and |43, providing for desired types of treatment to reduce material to be used to the proper density and composition, after which it may be caused to flow into the tank |44. The tank |44 may function as a supplying tank; and from this tank the material is normally caused to flow to the main supply tank |00 through a conduit shown at |46. The tanks |40 and |44 are further provided with discharge cocks |49 and |41 through which sludge materials may be drained,

and by which the tanks may be cleaned. As shown I have also provided that the tube |50 comprising an extension of the syphon pipe |45, may be vertically adjusted in respect to the tank |44 to control the point of discharge of the syphon, within the permissive syphoning limits.

While it may not be necessary in the treatment of all kinds of fluids, it is often desirable that the preparation and storage tanks for fluids which may be used in my machine be controlled as to temperature. For this purpose each of the tanks shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is preferably provided with a double wall jacket in which a temperature controlling medium may be circulated to control the temperature, and hence the viscosity of the material being prepared or stored. I have shown this jacket at |52 and indicated the space between the double walls at |53.

Under some conditions of operation it may be desirable to supplement the vertical and horizontal movements of the tanks l by additional vertical and/or horizontal movements of the entire apparatus, as by raising or lowering the base plate 40 and all parts carried thereby by a suitable means. For this purpose I have illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the base plate Il as provided with wheels |54 running on tracks or rails lll, so that the machine may be moved about as may be required. Furthermore I have illustrated a hydraulic liitlng device for lifting the ,entire machine, comprising a base plate lil provided with centering stud members |59, which are adapted to engage in suitable recesses IBII formed in the base III. The base plate I is mounted upon the upper end ci a hydraulic piston |51 received within a cylinder |58 suitably mounted in masonry or some other construction as shown.

In Fig. '1 I have illustrated the cooperative relation between the machine of my invention and a plurality or series of dipping forms intended to form film-like articles. 'Ihese forms are shown at l1 and are arranged in a plurality of parallel series, each series being carried by suitable means generally indicated at 22 connected together by links or other means 2l, and being supported by suitable guiding means not numbered. These forms are illustrated purely by way of example and per se form no part of the present invention.

While I have shown and described but one embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that many modications may be made therein and equivalents substituted and further that the invention is not limited to use with any particular type of fluid material, but is of substantially universal application ior accomplishing the ends above outlined. I do not wish to be limited therefore, except by the scope oi' the appended claims, which are to be construed as broadly as the state of the prior art permits.

The present application is a continuation of my copending application, Serial No. 632,689, led September l2, 1932.

I claim:

l. Apparatus for the coating of articles with film-forming compositions, comprising a container for a pool of a lm-i'orrning composition, means for establishing, maintaining and conducting a stream of the film-forming composition from a source o! supply to, through and away from a dipping pool in said container, and means for bodily moving said container in a predetermined path in proximity to the path of an article to be dipped, the aforesaid means being so constructed and arranged that the article may be dipped into the pool in said container at the adjacent portion of said paths, said stream maintaining and conducting means being independent of the movement of said container.

2. Apparatus for the coating of articles with film-forming compositions, comprising a series of rows of forms constructed and arranged to be coated while passing along a predetermined path, means for passing a iluid film-forming material in a plurality of streams adjacent to said path, means for moving portions of each stream bodily in an endless path contacting with said forms to one zone in said endless path, whereby successively to contact said streams with said forms row after row, and means for causing howing movements of said streams of nlm-forming material during the aforesaid bodily movements thereof.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the several means are so constructed and arranged that the streams oi coating composition are contacted with said rows of forms while both are passing at substantially the same speed along substantially horizontal portions of said paths.

4. In the coating of articles with nlm-forming compositions, the pr which comprises passing a series of rows of forms to be coated along a predetermined path, passing a iiuid film-forming material in a pulsating iiow in a plurality o! streams adjacent to said path, moving portions of each stream bodily in an endless path contacting with said forms at one zone thereof, and successively contacting said streams with said forms row after row.

5. In the coating of articles with film-forming compositions, the process which comprises passing a series of rows of forms to be coated along a predetermined path, passing a iluid nlm-forming material in a plurality oi' streams axhaoent to said path, moving portions oi' each stream bodily in an endless path contacting with said forms at one zone thereof, successively contacting said streams with said forms row after row, iiooding each of said streams successively during the period said forms are being dipped thereinto, and partially draining each oi' said streams before another dipping period.

6. Apparatus for the coating of articles with nlm-forming `material,.comprising a form constructed and arranged for movement in a predetermined path, a container for a dipping pool constructed and arranged for movement in a predetermined path, a portion at least of which is adjacent to and in the same direction as a portion of the first-named path and in such relation to the path of said form th t the form is dipped into the pool in said containe and means for establishing and maintaining a flowing stream of a film-forming material through said container at least during its passage through the portion of its path adjacent to the path of said form.

'1. Apparatus for the coating of articles with film-forming material, comprising a form constructed and arranged for movement in a predetermined path, a container for a dipping pool constructed and arranged for movement in a predetermined path, a portion at least of which is adjacent to and in the same direction as a portion of the first-named path and in such relation to the path of said form that the form is dipped into the pool in said container, a source of supply of film-forming material, and means for establishing and maintaining a continuous circulation of film-forming material from said source of supply to and through said container while it is moving through the portion of its path adjacent to the path of said form.

8. In a coating device, means for moving a series of articles to be coated along a predetermined path at a predetermined speed, a plurality of containers cooperating therewith for holding iiowing streams of coating material, means for moving said containers at substantially said predetermined speed through an endless path intercepting said predetermined path at at least one predetermined zone, thereby successively contacting said flowing streams with said articles, and means operating during the movement of said containers for circulating material therethrough to establish and maintain iiowing streams ofthe material therein.

9. Apparatus for holding and transporting pools of plastic material into which horizontally moving articles may be successively dipped and withdrawn, comprising a series of tanks for holding the pools of plastic material, conduit means for supplying plastic material to the tanks at all times during their movement, and means for moving said tanks through an orbital path in such relation adjacent to the horizontal path through which the articles to be dipped are moved during the dipping period that the articles may be immersed to a desired extent in the pools.

10. Apparatus for supplying coatings of plastic material to the exterior surfaces of dipped articles, comprising central fluid-conducting means, a distributing system having conduit parts rotatable around said means, a series of tanks each of which is suspended from one of said conduit parts, and means for forcing fluid plastic material through said fluid-conducting means and the said conduit parts to the said tanks.

il. Apparatus for supplying fluid plastic filmforming material to the exterior of articles to be dipped, comprising a container for the iluld plastic material, a supply body of said material, conduit connections between said container and said supply body, means for moving said container into a dipping position, and means for causing a flow of the plastic material through said container when thus positioned.

12. Apparatus for supplying fluid plastic materials to dipping tanks which are moved in a non-circular orbital path, a portion of which is in the direction of advance of articles to be dipped, comprising a series of tanks, a series of hollow spokes for supporting and moving said tanks about an axis central of said orbital path, a series of hollow iiexible tubes respectively associated with said spokes, and means for causing iluid plastic material to traverse said tubes and spokes and to enter and leave said tanks during their movement as aforesaid.

13. In the coating of articles with film-forming compositions, the process which comprises contacting an article to be coated with a. coating solution to secure the adherence of a coating thereto, producing a. flow-movement of said solution against said article during its contact with said article, causing withdrawal of said article from said solution, draining oii the surplus coating solution from said article, and continuously moving both said coating solution and said article in the same direction during said coating and draining operations.

14. Apparatus for supplying uid plastic material into which articles may be dipped for forming plastic lms thereon, comprising a container, means for moving said container in a predetermined path during a. portion of which an article may be dipped into iluid plastic material within said container, and means for causing a positive circulation of fluid plastic material into and out of said container at a selected time during the movement thereof in said path.

15. Apparatus for supplying fluid plastic material into which articles may be dipped for forming plastic iilms thereon, comprising a container, means for continuously vmoving said container in a predetermined non-circular orbital path during a portion of which an article may be dipped into uid plastic material within said container, and means for causing a circulation oi fluid plastic material into and out of said container during movement thereof and during the time an article is being dipped into the fluid material thereon.

16. Apparatus for supplying iluid plastic material into which articles may be dipped for forming plastic films thereon, comprising a container, means for moving said container in a predetermined path during a portion of which an article may be dipped into iluid plastic material Within said container, a supply body of uid plastic material, and means continuously providing passages for ow of the uid material from the source thereof into and out of said container independently of the movement of the latter.

17. Apparatus for supplying fluid plastic material into which articles may be dipped for forming plastic lrns thereon, comprising supporting means rotatable about a horizontal axis, a plurality of open top iiuid containers carried by said supporting means and rotatable in respect thereto so that they may always be maintained with their openings right side up, means mounting said containers for movement in substantially radial directions with respect to said rotatable supportingmeans, means for constraining said containers to movement by said rotatable supporting means in a non-circular orbital path about said horizontal axis, a source of fluid plastic material spaced from all the above-named means, conduit means including a iluid conducting passage-forming means concentric with the axis of rotation of said rotatable supporting means continuously establishing communication between said source of plastic material and each of said containers, and means for rotating said rotatable supporting means and said containers.

ENOCH T. IIERNGREN. 

